Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat 29 Jun 20 Stem Ponderings

29 Jun 20:

We spent the afternoon pondering stem shapes for MARGARET ROSE, compared the stem pattern from our Penobscot 14 to the stem of the 1880s Newport Diamond Bottom catboat. So far we like the sleeker shape of the Penobscot. One more stem to throw into the mix, it's a secret. Stay tuned.

Log of MARGARET ROSE.

Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat MARGARET ROSE 01 Jun 20 Sheer Line and Skeg

01 Jun 20:

Played around with the sheer line for the catboat, gave her a little reverse curve aft of the beam.

And propped the keel batten up to see the shape of the skeg, plus checked out tiller placement.

Log of MARGARET ROSE.

Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat MARGARET ROSE 07 May 19 Keel Float Test

07 May 19:

Float test for the catboat keel batten.

Log of MARGARET ROSE.

87 Boat Designs by Benjamin Fuller

13 Jan 19:

Paging through 87 Boat Designs by Ben Fuller, A Catalog of Small Boat Plans from Mystic Seaport 2002. We are looking for idea on catboat rigs, racing rigs or day sail rigs, maybe both. The Delaware Tuckup THOMAS M. SEEDS is interesting as well as BUTTON SWAN. Starting to narrow down the square footage of the sail, probably around 180 square feet. A few notes we jotted down, the V stern on out catboat won't drag like a U shaped stern found on most later catboats. The sterns grew to support the extra weight of auxiliary motors that came on board in the early 1900s. Our boat will have responsive tiller steering, excellent for close quarters maneuvering. She'll also be small enough that she can be rolled up on the beach. Low freeboard, with side deck and coaming making up for lack of that, we expect the sheer rail to be under water a bit. The rocker in the stern will help her turn faster. A double bottom will help keep her bilge dry, and an external keel will keep the bilge easy to bail out and clean. She'll have side benches and a removable bench aft for storage. And it seems we have to monogram the rudder and sail, so everyone on shore can see that the Skipper is in the lead.


Nice book to page through with concise, educated write ups on small boats.

Decked canoe was interesting, 16 feet, low freeboard, bigger cockpit, lapstrake. The original dated back to around 1900 and had copper buoyancy tanks.

We were most focused on the Cat-Rigged Boats, SANSHEE and TRIO caught our eye.

Might be the starting point for our cat rig, without the bowsprit. Definitely need a monogrammed rudder. And a big letter on the sail too, just not sure which one yet.

FMI: Fuller, Benjamin A. G. 2002. 87 boat designs: a catalog of small boat plans from Mystic Seaport. Mystic, CT: Mystic Seaport.

Locate a copy or near you or bookseller through Worldcat.

Our Private Collection Small Boat Library.

The Catboat Book

02 Jan 19:

Spent the day doing a little catboat research, reading The Catboat Book, edited by John Leavens, 1973. The book is a Chapter book with contributions by esteemed authors, designers and builders Chappelle, Williams, Schock, Pease and Marshall, among others.

There are some great articles on basic design philosophy and common measurements used of building catboats. One article of special interest covered the standard sizing of the spars and sail, based on waterline and length overall. It was mentioned that modern rigs are smaller today than the classics, built before auxiliary power was available. Wind and water provide the same benefit and challenges today as they did in the past, so basic design of the catboat has changed little, even with the advent of newer materials and construction methods.

Nice biblio at the end and many wonderful pictures from the late 1800s - early 1900s.

Marshall Sandpiper

Beetle Cat

Schock's IMP, for Thomas Fleming Day, editor of The Rudder, 1907.

FMI: Chapelle, Howard Irving, and John M. Leavens. 1974. The catboat book. Camden, Maine. International Marine Publishing Company.

Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat ROSE 08 Dec 18 Keel

08 Dec 18:

Picked up a 1"x8"x16' piece of select pine to sketch out the lines for the keel. Trying it out on an inexpensive piece of lumber first, and then we may switch to cypress.

We also wanted to see if the lumber would take the 1-6-0 (foot and a half) rise up to the transom. It will.

Log of ROSE.

Pascagoula Catboat ROSE 20 Jan 18 Sail Rig Ideas

20 Jan 18:

We have been quizzing our Biloxi buddies, Russ and Buddy, about Gulf Coast catboats. Buddy mentioned a 16 foot cross planked, lapstrake boat designed by Peter Culler and offered to send us some of the plan drawings for us to look at. One thing we are especially interested in is the dimensions to the gaff rig, at 182 square feet it is quite impressive.

Buddy is sending the rest of the plans and maybe that will give us some more ideas on cross plank construction. Thanks to Russ and Buddy for keeping the Gulf Coast boating heritage alive!

Build Log for ROSE.